Biography of Capt. William BensingerHancock County, OH Biographies

CAPT. WILLIAM BENSINGER, farmer, P. 0. Deweyville, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, January 14, 1840, son of
Reuben and Hannah (Feazel) Bensinger, the former a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent. and the latter
a native of Ohio and of Scotch Irish lineage. Reuben Bensinger, who was a life long farmer, settled on a farm in
Hancock County, Ohio, in 1858. Our subject, the only child, received a common school education in Medina County,
Ohio, where he lived on the farm until eighteen years of age. At the breahng out of the late war of the Rebellion,
he promptly enlisted in Company G, Twenty first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service until 1862,
when he, with twenty one others, volunteered to enter the enemy's camp, in disguise. This they did, and captured
a train of cars, which they succeeded in running 100 miles, but they were finally captured and eight of the party
hung; the others broke from the guards and got away, though most of them were recaptureil Our subject was among
the unfortunate ones and was kept a prisoner for one year. He was then exchanged and promoted to a captaincy. At
the close of the war he commenced railroading, first as brakesman, then baggage master, and later was fireman for
two years, and was then promoted to be engineer. Owing to the declining health of his father, about this time Capt.
Bensinger came home and operated a steam engine for the stave manufactory at Deweyville for four years. He is now
managing his father's farm. Our subject was married in 1863, to Sarah Harris, who was born in North Carolina. To
this union was born one child, Charles H. In politics Capt. Bensinger is a Republican. He has served as assessor
of his township. He is a member of the G. A. R. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. of the
Sabbath school of which he is superintendent.

From:
History of Madison County, Ohio
Published by: Warner, Beers and Company
Chicago, Illinois 1886